Noor's POV

It has to be one of the worst days of my life. And the reason is sitting right next to me. Adi. Arjun thought it will be best if me and Adi went together to collect their rings. Some stupid belief that if we get it then he will also have a happy marriage like we have. Huh. Only if he knew.

I just feel like killing someone right now. Ever since that night I have avoided Adi like plague. I know I told Jai that I will give Adi a chance but I can't help but feel heartbroken everytime I look at him. I can't help but think back to the days when we couldn't keep our hands off each other and Adi would kiss me senseless every chance he got. I feel miserable. I feel alone and I just want to go back in his arms even if it is just for a moment.

I notice that we have reached the jewellery shop. Adi gets out and opens my door, offering his hand. I place my palm in his hand and notice an expression of surprise and happiness cross his face before he controls his emotions and brings it back to a neutral expression. Well I only did it because I was craving his touch. Just a moment of weakness that I am going to let myself relish, before going back to my angry phase.

We enter the shop to see a beautiful old lady greet us. 'We are here to collect the rings that we had ordered', says Adi still holding my hand. It feels so nice to hold his hand. It feels like ages ago since I last touched him. It is surprising how such little gestures can mean so much in times of separation.

The lady returns with the rings and says,'Here are your rings Mr. and Mrs. Chauhan. I have to say you two make a lovely couple. You remind me of my husband. He always held my hand whenever we were out'.

'Well thank you mam. If you don't mind me asking where is your husband?', enquires Adi.

'He passed away a few years back. Every now and then I see a couple like you buying rings which reminds me of him', the lady replies with a sad expression.

Adi continues asking,' Mam for how long were you two married?'.

That brings a smile to her face,'We were married for 50 years. We had a wonderful life. It seems just like yesterday when I saw him for the first time, a young boy of just 19. He gave me the most glorious years of my life'.

I comfort her saying,'That's a long time of being together mam. Your love must be great to endure the test of time'.

That makes her laugh,'Oh dear. Time is no testimony for love. Love that you share with a person has no relation with it. In fact, Love grows with time, each day, in front of you, with you. It amazes you every single day and it makes your life fulfilling, worth living. Time is actually the best thing about love. It can make a moment feel like eternity and sometimes even eternity can feel small when you are with your loved one'.

Adi continues,'Well mam it is difficult to find that kind of love these days with all the practicality and options'.

The lady smiles kindly and says,' Son, love doesn't change with time. It is a feeling, which is very much present today as it was in our times. People just refuse to see it and the lucky ones who find it give it up for petty things or just get confused. Kids of your generation make it out to be some rocket science. Love is love. It is either there or not there. There is no in between. And if you really love someone, you will always love them, irespective of what they end up doing in life. That's the beauty of it. It permits making mistakes and yet promising not to change, it allows one to come to terms with it and gives the other partner patience to wait for the other half. The definition of love has changed but the emotion is still the same. You just need to submit yourself to the emotion and let it take you where you need to be'.

I turn to look at Adi and see him looking at me with the same emotion that I'm sure he can see in my eyes. I love him. And I will always love him no matter what. We are stuck together for life. He squeezes my hand firmly and I nod at him in return. I have finally accepted his apology.

The lady takes the rings to the counter and hands Adi the bill. 'Mam if you don't mind, how old are you?', I ask trying not to offend her by asking her age.

She smiles and replies,'I am 70 years old. And I am the owner. Ever since my husband passed away, this shop keeps me busy and as a bonus I get to meet lovely couples like you who make my day'.

'That is good mam. We would love to see you again sometime. It was lovely meeting you', says Adi.

'Oh dear the pleasure is mine. Anyways I always have a huge party at Christmas at my place. I will send you the invites. You must come'.

'We sure will', says Adi bidding her farewell. Whereas I am confused as to why did she think that the rings were for us. I'm sure Arjun himself selected the rings and she must have known that we were just collecting them.

We reach back home and I follow Adi to our room and ask,'Whose rings are those? Because I have a feeling they aren't for Arjun and Nissa'.

Adi comes closer to me and gently caresses my cheek and says,'I got them for us. Arjun already got his rings yesterday'.

He takes the rings out for me to see that they were one of those platinum couple rings. 'Noor I know this is not the right time but I want you to have one of these as my way of saying sorry. I am not trying to win you over with a gift but I want you to keep this as a reminder that you will have me, always. Just like I will have its counterpart with me, always, reminding me of you and your love. Please accept this as my apology for what I did. I can spend my entire life in repentance but even that wouldn't be enough to make it up to you for what I did. But that won't stop me from trying and I hope that you will find it in your heart to forgive me'.

I take the ring from his hands and see the inscription "Love you always - A". Oh my! I can't help the tears falling down on my cheeks. 'Do you mean it', I ask him seeing through my teary eyes.

'More than anything else. I love you Noor. I have loved you from the moment I saw you dancing your way along the sea shores of Mauritius. You sneaked your way into my heart without my knowledge. And I was a fool to realise it so late and even a bigger fool to admit it later. But like the lady said. Love is forever. And I will love you always irrespective of what happens in our future. I love you Noor Aditya Singh Chauhan. More than anyone I have ever loved. More than anyone I will ever love'.

I immediately bring him close and kiss him with all my love.

'I love you Aditya. I love you so so much. It hurts. I accept your apology but it will take me time to forgive you'. 'I understand Noor. I just wanted you to know that I love you. And I can wait my entire life for your forgiveness'.

*****

A/N: Longest chapter so far.